Dualit toasters -worth the money?

We've got through loads of toasters in the past few years. They always seem to short out /go up in flames/just stop working. Our current model is the worst ever, it takes an age to toast bread to a satisfactory degree and the slots are too small for most slices, so you have to stop half way and turn the bread around to get it evenly toasted.Every time we go to buy a new one, we look at the Dualit toasters, but baulk at the price. I guess though, we could have bought one by now with the amount we've shelled out for all the others. So, are they any good and should we go for one this time? Your advice/ experiences would be very welcome.

Well, thank you for all your replies. Had to go out to a tedious meeting, so it was fab to see so many responses on my return. It looks like those of you who are happy with your toasters bought them some time ago, so perhaps newer models are not as good as older versions.

DO NOT get a new model, just to reiterate. We bough a four slice one (two long slots) in cream, £80 ish, looked the business but was utterly shite and the customer service was dire as we tried to get it looked at (it burnt one side and you could only use one setting) and they said nothing wrong with it. In the end, John Lewis took it back. They don't sell them now - NOT BLOODY SURPRISED!!!!

I was just thinking, as I sit here eating a roll toasted in my trusty 4 slice Dualit, just how fabulous the toaster is. It was a wedding present in 1998 (it's outlasted my marriage, by the way) and other than replacing one element (simplicity itself to do, full instructions given) it has worked tirelessly, survived three house moves, toasted everything and looks stylish. I'm definitely feeling the Dualit love!

Agree with poster above somewhere who said don't get the cheaper colour coordinated ones. My DS had one and it lasted two minutes. Get industrial one - had mine years and has outlasted the four she's had in same space of time ( and more cost)

I can't help but have a sneaking suspicion that some people who complain about bread only toasting on one side are putting it on single slice but putting the toast in the wrong slot (as that is exactly what happens).

I also don't understand the complaint about lack of a pop up meaning your toast goes cold. It takes about 2 mins from a cold start. If you wander off to watch Lord of the Rings I guess it might be cold by the time the credits roll, but as long as you come back within 5 mins to eat it then it should be nice and, er...toasty.

Not sure I would spend the money new but mine was a present from my mother. It is over ten years old. Toasts one side of one slice at the end so hey, I turn it halfway. I love the fact it is simple and mechanical. There are no complicated or hidden electronic bits. Very basic really but great to use.